If you want to know how to stop cats from scratching furniture, then this article will teach you how. There are two main reasons why cats ruin furniture. The first is that they scratch because they are using them as a way to mark their territories. The other reason is that they like to scratch things because it makes them feel good. When the cat scratches, it plays with its claws in the furniture making it feel very proud of himself.
Now, there are a number of things you can do to prevent your cat from scratching the furniture. The first is to give it enough space to exercise. You should also block off some areas in the house where the cat can go when it needs to scratch. If you do these things, you will soon see that your cat will not scratch your furniture.
There are many different scratching posts available for your cat. Some of these posts are designed to be used outdoors while others are designed to be used indoors. You can choose between wood and metal. Wood is generally better suited to outdoor scratching so look for something that is made of wood.
The second step on how to stop cats from scratching furniture is to provide them with a scratching post. This is normally just a board or plastic surface around which your cat can scratch. It is important that you do not create an opportunity for your cat to scratch in one particular area. Scratching should be kept to a minimum where it is possible. You can either create an area in which your cat can scratch freely or have furniture placed in one particular place. In most cases, it is better to let your cat do its thing.
If you think that your cat is doing something undesirable such as scratching your furniture, do not attempt to punish it. If your cat does something it is not supposed to do, ignore it. Cats do not learn from what they watch. Reprimand it later when it is in the correct behavior. Scratching should only be allowed on an occasional basis. Use a firm hand when you pull your cat away from the line it is scratching and never pull it straight out of the line.
To teach your cat when it is scratching furniture and to stop doing it, there are some things you can do. By placing your furniture in one particular spot, even for a short period of time, your cat will associate that spot with being able to scratch. If the spot stays only for a short time each day, this will stick in your cat's mind and cause it to scratch when it needs to.
Another thing you can do to teach your cat where it can scratch and not leave marks on your stuff is to use deterrents. If you hide toys in prominent places and then put them in a different location for scratching, your cat will associate the hiding spot with scratching. You can also try putting up a scratching post. Make sure the posts are at least two feet high and cover all areas of the room.
If you still have a scratching cat, it is important to keep other areas of the house in good repair. There is no need for your furniture to have hideous scratches all over it. Learning how to stop cats from scratching furniture can be done easily by reinforcing good behavior with positive reinforcement.
Rewards for good behavior will help reinforce that behavior. The rewards can be as simple as giving your cat a treat every time it uses the scratching post or hiding place. Something nice and fluffy to sleep on would also be a reward that will go a long way. By consistently providing your cat with praise or treats for using the right behavior, it will learn how to stop from scratching your things.
Scratching can also be dangerous for the cat if it gets into something and doesn't get out. Cats can choke on their own saliva when they swallow objects that are too hard. Soft material like fleece will decrease the rate of your cat consuming its food. As a result, you might have to buy soft furnishings for your home.
If you have a male cat, it is especially important that you understand how to stop cats from scratching furniture. When male scratches the furniture, he leaves semen, which then has an effect on the female cat. If you don't want your female cat to be pregnant, you need to get it to stop before it gives birth. You can also try other options such as a scratching post for feline aggression or a scratching pad.
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